‘Someone could have been killed’: Tractor stolen in Skegness left running without driver

Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can

Waiting for Video...

Published:12:21Thursday 09 March 2017

Joyriders left a tractor they stole from the Skegness boat compound racing around a car park without a driver before it plunged over a wall on to the beach and came to a stop on its end further along.

It is believed they broke into the compound this morning around 6am, charged through the gates and also took out barrier gates owned by East Lindsey District Council.

The smashed up tractor where it came to a stop after being stolen from Skegness Boat Club. Mr Matthew Overton, a member of the club, has been helping to clear up the mess. ANL-170903-113104001

Matthew Overton, a member of Skegness Boat Club, was helping to clear up the mess when the Standard went along to see the damage.

He said: “It’s lucky someone wasn’t in the car park because they could have been killed.

“The tractor is a total write-off. I got a call from the police around 6.45am. From what I’ve been told youths stole the tractor and charged through the gates completely destroying them.

“Then they went joyriding around the car park and also charged down the council barrier gates.

It’s lucky someone wasn’t in the car park because they could have been killed

Matthew Overton, a member of Skegness Boat Club

“I’ve been told someone saw three youths riding around. Then they left the tractor in full throttle charging around the car park. It’s a wonder someone wasn’t killed.”

It is estimated the total cost of the damage to Skegness Boat Club and East Lindsey District Council is between £15-20,000. Mr Overton said: “It’s very disheartening when something like this happens, especially at this time of the year when the season is about to start.

”It could have been a lot worse, though, if they had taken any of the boats.”

The police have been informed. Anyone with information should call them on 101

Part of the wall where the tractor without a driver smashed through. The debris on the car park is tyre. ANL-170903-113146001